Expanding the Scope of 2′‐SCF3 Modified RNA

The 2′‐trifluoromethylthio (2′‐SCF₃) modification endows ribonucleic acids with exceptional properties and has attracted considerable interest as a reporter group for NMR spectroscopic applications. However, only modified pyrimidine nucleosides have been generated so far. Here, the syntheses of 2′‐SCF₃ adenosine and guanosine phosphoramidites of which the latter was obtained in highly efficient manner by an unconventional Boc‐protecting group strategy, are reported. RNA solid‐phase synthesis provided site‐specifically 2′‐SCF₃‐modified oligoribonucleotides that were investigated intensively. Their excellent behavior in ¹⁹F NMR spectroscopic probing of RNA ligand binding was exemplified for a noncovalent small molecule–RNA interaction. Moreover, comparably to the 2′‐SCF₃ pyrimidine nucleosides, the purine counterparts were also found to cause a significant thermodynamic destabilization when located in double helical regions. This property was considered beneficial for siRNA design under the aspect to minimize off‐target effects and their performance in silencing of the BASP1 gene was demonstrated.